NEWS
Samsung patent shows Conductive key button for future devices
New patent hints that Samsung is working on a new button called the conductive key button that could used in smartphones and wearables like smartwatches. This button could be a more secure and responsive touch input mechanism for Samsung’s future smartphones or wearable gadgets. Let’s see how it works and what are its possible features.
Recently, the folks at 91Mobiles spotted a patent filed by Samsung at WIPO for a conductive key button. The details available in that patent are quite interesting; It goes through conductive key button specifications like possible uses, design, and much more.
According to the patent, the conductive button is made of conductive material that can transfer micro-currents generated by external objects (the user’s fingers) to the electronic components inside the device. Furthermore, the filing suggests that these devices could be smartphones and smartwatches.
Conductive key button design:
The button has a layered design and is made Metal layer of stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, etc. It would work as the base of the key button and an electrode for internal sensors. On top of this metal layer, there is a deposited layer of materials like titanium or chromium. This coating also helps the buttons match the color of the device to give them a smooth and uniform look.
Conductive key button possibility features
This conductive key button could be a more tactile and reassuring input method than a touchscreen and could capture biometrics and perhaps other information as well.
Notably, biometric data can make devices more secure and the data can also be processed to yield information on various health parameters. Last but not least, it can be powered by a coprocessor for more efficient and low power consumption operation.
Today, with beta 4 Google expanded Android 16 Beta to select non-Pixel flagship devices from partner brands. Samsung, as always, is skipping the Android 16 Beta Program, while the new OS is available for select devices launched by Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, vivo, and Xiaomi.
Google released Android 16 beta 4 with a second version of platform stability and announced that apps compatible with the new OS will now be available on the Play Store.
Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Vivo, and Xiaomi have opened beta registration windows for their latest flagship devices launched in the last few months. Samsung, however, is yet to complete One UI 7 for its Galaxy devices, but will soon roll out the stable One UI 7 and launch an independent One UI beta program.
Last week, it was revealed that the company is already working on Android 16’s adaptation and testing the alleged One UI 8 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6 smartphones.
Android continues to deliver great updates and new features throughout the year, while feedback from the beta community plays a vital role in constantly improving Android. The Android 16 developer site has a lot more information about the beta, including downloads and a release timeline for Pixel.
List of devices that are running the Android 16 Beta
- HONOR Magic 7 Pro
- Lenovo YOGA Tab Plus
- OnePlus 13
- OPPO Find X8
- realme GT 7 Pro
- iQOO 13
- vivo X200 Pro
- Xiaomi 14T Pro
- Xiaomi 15
- Redmi K70 Ultra
After the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung has today resumed the rollout of One UI 7 based on the Android 15 update for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE. It is worth noting that the Korean tech giant had halted the rollout a few days ago due to a serious bug discovered in the initial update, so it is now rolling out a new firmware that will fix this issue.
Samsung has started rolling out the new One UI 7 update for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6, and Fold 6 SE. Initially available in South Korea, the new One UI 7 build will go live in more markets soon. This build is a more refined build than the initial build and includes fixes for system improvements.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6, and Fold 6 SE users can recognize it by the build number ending with BYD9.
Your Galaxy foldable device might have also received the new build. But you can check for the update manually in Settings > Software update. Click on Download and install so that your phone can receive the new OTA.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has now appeared on Geekbench, revealing that the company is carrying out pre-launch tests and preparations for its new device. The latest listing also solves the chipset mystery that has been in rumours for a long time.
According to the Geekbench 6.4 listing, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 US variant with model number SM-F966U achieved 3022 points on single-core and 9307 points on multi-core tests.
The US variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has appeared on Geekbench with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Also, the phone is expected to run on Android 16-based One UI 8 operating system
Being a flagship folding handset, all these things sound quite good. Nevertheless, the actual performance will only be known once the device is officially launched in the consumer market. Inputs reveal that the chipset is clocked at 3.53 GHz base frequency.
Apart from this, the Korean tech giant can launch the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 around July this year. Also, an affordable flip model can also be introduced along with both the devices.
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